MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Fees, Salaries and Administration
By: Senator(s) Little, Thames, Gordon, Tollison, Jackson (11th), Burton, Dawkins, Browning, Jordan, Mettetal, Jackson (32nd), Carmichael, King, Harden, Walls, Doxey, Brown, Butler, Nunnelee, Clarke, Jackson (15th), Thomas, Frazier, Flowers, Wilemon, White, Albritton, Chamberlin, Chaney, Dearing, Harvey, Morgan, Posey
AN ACT TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF CERTAIN COUNTY OFFICIALS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE SALARY SCALE FOR TAX COLLECTORS AND TAX ASSESSORS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF MEMBERS OF COUNTY BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF SHERIFFS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF JUSTICE COURT JUDGES; TO AMEND SECTION 41-61-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE SALARY ALLOWABLE TO CHIEF COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND CHIEF COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER INVESTIGATORS; TO AMEND SECTION 9-13-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF COURT REPORTERS; TO AMEND SECTION 19-25-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE DAILY COMPENSATION AUTHORIZED FOR RIDING BAILIFFS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-7-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE FEES CHARGED BY MARSHALS AND CONSTABLES; TO AMEND SECTION 25-7-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE CIRCUIT CLERK'S FEE FOR EACH DAY'S ATTENDANCE UPON THE CIRCUIT COURT TERM; TO AMEND SECTION 25-7-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE FEES CHARGED BY CHANCERY CLERKS; TO AMEND SECTION 9-1-43, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE LIMIT ON COMPENSATION OF CHANCERY AND CIRCUIT CLERKS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-105-343, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION OF CHANCERY CLERKS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES AS COUNTY TREASURERS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY SHALL RECEIVE AN ANNUAL SALARY LESS THAN THE SALARY PAID TO A JUSTICE COURT JUDGE IN HIS RESPECTIVE COUNTY; TO REPEAL SECTION 25-3-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ESTABLISHES THE SALARIES OF TAX ASSESSORS AND TAX COLLECTORS IN COUNTIES WHERE THE TWO OFFICES HAVE BEEN SEPARATED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 25-3-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-3-3. (1) The term "total assessed valuation" as used in this section only refers to the ad valorem assessment for the county and, in addition, in counties where oil or gas is produced, the actual value of oil at the point of production, as certified to the counties by the State Tax Commission under the provisions of Sections 27-25-501 through 27-25-525, and the actual value of gas as certified by the State Tax Commission under the provisions of Sections 27-25-701 through 27-25-723.
(2) The salary of assessors and collectors of the various counties is * * * fixed as full compensation for their services as county assessors or tax collectors, or both if the office of assessor has been combined with the office of tax collector. The annual salary of each assessor or tax collector, or both if the offices have been combined, shall be based upon the total assessed valuation of his respective county for the preceding taxable year in the following categories and for the following amounts:
(a) For counties having a total assessed valuation of Two Billion Dollars ($2,000,000,000.00) or more, a salary of Sixty-four Thousand Dollars ($64,000.00);
(b) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least One Billion Dollars ($1,000,000,000.00) but less than Two Billion Dollars ($2,000,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty-one Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($61,500.00);
(c) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00) but less than One Billion Dollars ($1,000,000,000.00), a salary of Fifty-eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($58,500.00);
(d) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00) but less than Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00), a salary of Fifty-six Thousand Dollars ($56,000.00);
(e) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00) but less than Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00), a salary of Fifty-four Thousand Dollars ($54,000.00);
(f) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00) but less than One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00), a salary of Fifty-two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($52,500.00);
(g) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Thirty-five Million Dollars ($35,000,000.00) but less than Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00), a salary of Forty-eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($48,500.00);
(h) For counties having a total assessed valuation of less than Thirty-five Million Dollars ($35,000,000.00), a salary of Forty-one Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($41,500.00).
(3) In addition to all other compensation paid pursuant to this section, the board of supervisors shall pay to a person serving as both the tax assessor and tax collector in their county an additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per year.
(4) The annual salary established for * * * assessors and tax collectors shall not be reduced as a result of a reduction in total assessed valuation. The salaries shall be increased as a result of an increase in total assessed valuation.
(5) In addition to all other compensation paid to assessors and tax collectors in counties having two (2) judicial districts, the board of supervisors shall pay such assessors and tax collectors * * * an additional Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) per year. In addition to all other compensation paid to assessors or tax collectors, in counties maintaining two (2) full-time offices, the board of supervisors shall pay the assessor or tax collector * * * an additional Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) per year.
(6) In addition to all other compensation paid to assessors and tax collectors, the board of supervisors of a county shall allow for such assessor or tax collector, or both, to be paid additional compensation when there is a contract between the county and one or more municipalities providing that the assessor or tax collector, or both, shall assess * * * or collect taxes, or both, for the municipality or municipalities; and such assessor or tax collector, or both, shall be authorized to receive such additional compensation from the county and/or the municipality or municipalities in any amount allowed by the county and/or the municipality or municipalities for performing those services.
(7) When any tax assessor holds a valid certificate of educational recognition from the International Association of Assessing Officers or is a licensed appraiser under Section 73-34-1 et seq., he shall receive an additional One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) annually beginning the next fiscal year after completion. When any tax assessor is a licensed state certified Residential Appraiser (RA) or licensed state certified Timberland Appraiser (TA) under Section 73-34-1 et seq., or when any tax assessor holds a valid designation from the International Association of Assessing Officers as a Cadastral Mapping Specialist (CMS) or Personal Property Specialist (PPS) or Residential Evaluation Specialist (RES), he shall receive an additional Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500.00) annually beginning the next fiscal year after completion. When any tax assessor holds the valid designation of Certified Assessment Evaluator (CAE) from the International Association of Assessing Officers or is a state certified General Real Estate Appraiser (GA) under Section 73-34-1 et seq., he shall receive an additional Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500.00) annually beginning the next fiscal year after completion.
(8) The salaries provided for in this section shall be the total funds paid to the county assessors and tax collectors and shall be full compensation for their services, with any fees being paid to the county general fund.
(9) The salaries * * * provided for in this section shall be payable monthly on the first day of each calendar month by chancery clerk's warrant drawn on the general fund of the county; however, the board of supervisors, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may provide that such salaries shall be paid semimonthly on the first and fifteenth day of each month. If a pay date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, salary payments shall be made on the workday immediately preceding the weekend or legal holiday.
* * *
SECTION 2. Section 25-3-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-3-13. The salaries of the members of the boards of supervisors of the various counties are * * * fixed as full compensation for their services.
The annual salary of each member of the board of supervisors shall be based upon the total assessed valuation of his respective county for the preceding taxable year in the following categories and for the following amounts:
(a) For counties having a total assessed valuation of less than Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00), a salary of Twenty-nine Thousand Dollars ($29,000.00);
(b) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00), but less than Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00), a salary of Thirty-two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($32,300.00);
(c) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00), but less than Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00), a salary of Thirty-three Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($33,700.00);
(d) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00), but less than One Hundred Twenty-five Million Dollars ($125,000,000.00), a salary of Thirty-four Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($34,700.00);
(e) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least One Hundred Twenty-five Million Dollars ($125,000,000.00), but less than Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000.00), a salary of Forty Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($40,400.00);
(f) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Three Hundred Million Dollars ($300,000,000.00), but less than One Billion Dollars ($1,000,000,000.00), a salary of Forty-four Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($44,700.00);
(g) For counties having a total assessed valuation of One Billion Dollars ($1,000,000,000.00), but less than Two Billion Dollars ($2,000,000,000.00), a salary of Forty-five Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($45,700.00);
(h) For counties having a total assessed valuation of Two Billion Dollars ($2,000,000,000.00) or more, a salary of Forty-six Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($46,700.00).
The salary of the members of the board of supervisors shall not be increased under this section until the board of supervisors shall have passed a resolution stating the amount of the increase and spread it on its minutes.
SECTION 3. Section 25-3-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-3-25. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (2) through (9), the salaries of sheriffs of the various counties are * * * fixed as full compensation for their services.
From and after October 1, 1998, the annual salary for each sheriff shall be based upon the total population of his county according to the latest federal decennial census in the following categories and for the following amounts; however, no sheriff shall be paid less than the salary authorized under this section to be paid the sheriff based upon the population of the county according to the 1980 federal decennial census:
(a) For counties with a total population of more than two hundred thousand (200,000), a salary of Ninety Thousand Dollars ($90,000.00).
(b) For counties with a total population of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) and not more than two hundred thousand (200,000), a salary of Eighty-four Thousand Dollars ($84,000.00).
(c) For counties with a total population of more than forty-five thousand (45,000) and not more than one hundred thousand (100,000), a salary of Seventy-eight Thousand Dollars ($78,000.00).
(d) For counties with a total population of more than thirty-four thousand (34,000) and not more than forty-five thousand (45,000), a salary of Seventy-two Thousand Dollars ($72,000.00).
(e) For counties with a total population of more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) and not more than thirty-four thousand (34,000), a salary of Sixty-two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($62,400.00).
(f) For counties with a total population of more than fifteen thousand (15,000) and not more than twenty-five thousand (25,000), a salary of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00).
(g) For counties with a total population of more than nine thousand five hundred (9,500) and not more than fifteen thousand (15,000), a salary of Fifty-six Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($56,400.00).
(h) For counties with a total population of * * * not more than nine thousand five hundred (9,500), a salary of Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00).
* * *
(2) In addition to the salary provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the Board of Supervisors of Leflore County * * *, in its discretion, may pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county in an amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). The Legislature finds and declares that the annual supplement authorized by this subsection is justified in such county for the following reasons:
(a) The Mississippi Department of Corrections operates and maintains a restitution center within the county;
(b) The Mississippi Department of Corrections operates and maintains a community work center within the county;
(c) There is a resident circuit court judge in the county whose office is located at the Leflore County Courthouse;
(d) There is a resident chancery court judge in the county whose office is located at the Leflore County Courthouse;
(e) The Magistrate for the Fourth Circuit Court District is located in the county and maintains his office at the Leflore County Courthouse;
(f) The Region VI Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center, which serves a multicounty area, calls upon the sheriff to provide security for out-of-town mental patients, as well as patients from within the county;
(g) The increased activity of the Child Support Division of the Department of Human Services in enforcing in the courts parental obligations has imposed additional duties on the sheriff; and
(h) The dispatchers of the enhanced E-911 system in place in Leflore County has been placed under the direction and control of the sheriff.
(3) In addition to the salary provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the Board of Supervisors of Rankin County * * *, in its discretion, may pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county in an amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). The Legislature finds and declares that the annual supplement authorized by this subsection is justified in such county for the following reasons:
(a) The Mississippi Department of Corrections operates and maintains the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility within the county;
(b) The State Hospital is operated and maintained within the county at Whitfield;
(c) Hudspeth Regional Center, a facility maintained for the care and treatment of the mentally retarded, is located within the county;
(d) The Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy is operated and maintained within the county;
(e) The State Fire Academy is operated and maintained within the county;
(f) The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, ordinarily known as the "Reservoir District," is located within the county;
(g) The Jackson International Airport is located within the county;
(h) The patrolling of the state properties located within the county has imposed additional duties on the sheriff; and
(i) The sheriff, in addition to providing security to the nearly one hundred thousand (100,000) residents of the county, has the duty to investigate, solve and assist in the prosecution of any misdemeanor or felony committed upon any state property located in Rankin County.
(4) In addition to the salary provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the Board of Supervisors of Neshoba County shall pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county an amount equal to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).
(5) In addition to the salary provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the Board of Supervisors of Tunica County * * *, in its discretion, may pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county an amount equal to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), payable beginning April 1, 1997.
(6) In addition to the salary provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the Board of Supervisors of Hinds County shall pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county in an amount equal to Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00). The Legislature finds and declares that the annual supplement authorized by this subsection is justified in such county for the following reasons:
(a) Hinds County has the greatest population of any county, two hundred fifty-four thousand four hundred forty-one (254,441) by the 1990 census, being almost one hundred thousand (100,000) more than the next most populous county;
(b) Hinds County is home to the State Capitol and the seat of all state government offices;
(c) Hinds County is the third largest county in geographic area, containing eight hundred seventy-five (875) square miles;
(d) Hinds County is comprised of two (2) judicial districts, each having a courthouse and county office buildings;
(e) There are four (4) resident circuit judges, four (4) resident chancery judges, and three (3) resident county judges in Hinds County, the most of any county, with the sheriff acting as chief executive officer and provider of bailiff services for all;
(f) The main offices for the clerk and most of the judges and magistrates for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi are located within the county;
(g) The state's only urban university, Jackson State University, is located within the county;
(h) The University of Mississippi Medical Center, combining the medical school, dental school, nursing school and hospital, is located within the county;
(i) Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the state's largest sports arena, is located within the county;
(j) The Mississippi State Fairgrounds, including the Coliseum and Trade Mart, are located within the county;
(k) Hinds County has the largest criminal population in the state, such that the Hinds County Sheriff's Department operates the largest county jail system in the state, housing almost one thousand (1,000) inmates in three (3) separate detention facilities;
(l) The Hinds County Sheriff's Department handles more mental and drug and alcohol commitments cases than any other sheriff's department in the state;
(m) The Mississippi Department of Corrections maintains a restitution center within the county;
(n) The Mississippi Department of Corrections regularly houses as many as one hundred (100) state convicts within the Hinds County jail system; and
(o) The Hinds County Sheriff's Department is regularly asked to provide security services not only at the Fairgrounds and Memorial Stadium, but also for events at the Mississippi Museum of Art and Jackson City Auditorium.
(7) In addition to the salary provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the Board of Supervisors of Wilkinson County, in its discretion, may pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county in an amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). The Legislature finds and declares that the annual supplement authorized by this subsection is justified in such county because the Mississippi Department of Corrections contracts for the private incarceration of state inmates at a private correctional facility within the county.
(8) In addition to the salary provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the Board of Supervisors of Marshall County, in its discretion, may pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county in an amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). The Legislature finds and declares that the annual supplement authorized by this subsection is justified in such county because the Mississippi Department of Corrections contracts for the private incarceration of state inmates at a private correctional facility within the county.
(9) In addition to the salary provided in subsection (1) of this section, the Board of Supervisors of Greene County, in its discretion, may pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county in an amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). The Legislature finds and declares that the annual supplement authorized by this subsection is justified in such county for the following reasons:
(a) The Mississippi Department of Corrections operates and maintains the South Mississippi Correctional Facility within the county;
(b) In 1996, additional facilities to house another one thousand four hundred sixteen (1,416) male offenders were constructed at the South Mississippi Correctional Facility within the county; and
(c) The patrolling of the state properties located within the county has imposed additional duties on the sheriff justifying additional compensation.
(10) In addition to the salary provided in subsection (1) of this section, the board of supervisors of any county, in its discretion, may pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county in an amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). The amount of the supplement shall be spread on the minutes of the board. The annual supplement authorized in this subsection shall not be in addition to the annual supplements authorized in subsections (2) through (9).
(11) The salaries * * * provided in this section shall be payable monthly on the first day of each calendar month by chancery clerk's warrant drawn on the general fund of the county; however, the board of supervisors, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may provide that such salaries shall be paid semimonthly on the first and fifteenth day of each month. If a pay date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, salary payments shall be made on the workday immediately preceding the weekend or legal holiday.
SECTION 4. Section 25-3-36, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-3-36. (1) * * * Every justice court judge shall receive as full compensation for his or her services and in lieu of any and all other fees, costs or compensation heretofore authorized for such justice court judge, an annual salary based upon the population of his or her county according to the latest federal decennial census; however, no justice court judge shall be paid less than the salary authorized under this section to be paid the justice court judge based upon the population of the county according to the 1980 federal decennial census. The amount of which salary shall be determined as follows:
(a) In counties with a population of more than two hundred thousand (200,000), a salary of Fifty-five Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-nine Dollars ($55,559.00).
(b) In counties with a population of more than one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) but not more than two hundred thousand (200,000), a salary of Fifty-one Thousand Five Dollars ($51,005.00).
(c) In counties with a population of more than seventy-five thousand (75,000) but not more than one hundred fifty thousand (150,000), a salary of Forty-six Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-one Dollars ($46,451.00).
(d) In counties with a population of more than forty-nine thousand (49,000) but not more than seventy-five thousand (75,000), a salary of Forty Thousand Seventy-five Dollars ($40,075.00).
(e) In counties with a population of more than thirty-four thousand (34,000) but not more than forty-nine thousand (49,000), a salary of Thirty-four Thousand Six Hundred Ten Dollars ($34,610.00).
(f) In counties with a population of more than twenty-four thousand five hundred (24,500) but not more than thirty-four thousand (34,000), a salary of Thirty-two Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-nine Dollars ($32,789.00).
(g) In counties with a population of more than twenty-one thousand (21,000) but not more than twenty-four thousand five hundred (24,500), a salary of Twenty-nine Thousand One Hundred Forty-six Dollars ($29,146.00).
(h) In counties with a population of more than sixteen thousand five hundred (16,500) but not more than twenty-one thousand (21,000), a salary of Twenty-five Thousand Five Hundred Two Dollars ($25,502.00).
(i) In counties with a population of more than twelve thousand (12,000) but not more than sixteen thousand five hundred (16,500), a salary of Twenty-one Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-nine Dollars ($21,859.00).
(j) In counties with a population of more than eight thousand (8,000) but not more than twelve thousand (12,000), a salary of Eighteen Thousand Dollars ($18,000.00).
(k) In counties with a population of eight thousand (8,000) or less, a salary of Fourteen Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($14,400.00).
The board of supervisors of any county having two (2) judicial districts and two (2) justice court judges for the county shall pay each justice court judge an amount equal to that * * * provided in this subsection for judges in the next higher population category per year, if the justice court judge maintains regular office hours and is personally present in the office they maintain for at least thirty (30) hours per week.
In any county having a population greater than eight thousand (8,000) but less than eight thousand five hundred (8,500) according to the 1990 federal decennial census and in which U.S. Highway 61 and Mississippi Highway 4 intersect, the board of supervisors * * *, in its discretion, may pay such justice court judges an additional amount not to exceed the sum of Eleven Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Dollars ($11,550.00) per year, payable beginning April 1, 1997.
In any county having a population greater than ten thousand (10,000) but less than ten thousand five hundred (10,500) according to the 1990 federal decennial census and in which Mississippi Highway 3 and Mississippi Highway 6 intersect, the board of supervisors * * *, in its discretion, may pay such justice court judges an additional amount not to exceed One Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,450.00) per year, payable beginning April 1, 1997.
In any county having a population greater than twenty-four thousand seven hundred (24,700) and less than twenty-four thousand nine hundred (24,900), according to the 1990 federal census, wherein Mississippi Highways 15 and 16 intersect, the board of supervisors shall pay such justice court judge an additional amount equal to Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) per year.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, in the event that the number of justice court judges authorized pursuant to Section 9-11-2(1) is exceeded pursuant to the provisions of Section 9-11-2(4), the aggregate of the salaries paid to the justice court judges of such a county shall not exceed the amount sufficient to pay the number of justice court judges authorized pursuant to Section 9-11-2(1), and such amount shall be equally divided among those justice court judges continuing to hold office under the provisions of Section 9-11-2(4).
(3) From and after January 1, 1984, all fees, costs, fines and penalties charged and collected in the justice court shall be paid to the clerk of the justice court for deposit, along with monies from cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases, into the general fund of the county as provided in Section 9-11-19; and the clerk of the board of supervisors shall be authorized and empowered, upon approval by the board of supervisors, to make disbursements and withdrawals from the general fund of the county in order to pay any reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in complying with this section, including payment of the salaries of justice court judges as provided by subsection (1) of this section. The provisions of this subsection shall not, except as to cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases, apply to monies required to be deposited in the justice court clerk clearing account as provided in Section 9-11-18, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(4) The salaries provided for in * * * this section shall be payable monthly by warrant drawn by the clerk of the board of supervisors on the general fund of the county; however, the board of supervisors, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may provide that such salaries shall be paid semimonthly on the first and fifteenth day of each month. If a pay date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, salary payments shall be made on the workday immediately preceding the weekend or legal holiday.
(5) Provided, that the salary of any justice court judge shall not be reduced during his term of office as a result of a population change following a federal decennial census.
(6) Any justice court judge who is unable to attend and hold court by reason of being under suspension by the Commission on Judicial Performance or the Mississippi Supreme Court shall not receive a salary while under such suspension.
SECTION 5. Section 41-61-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
41-61-59. (1) A person's death which affects the public interest as specified in subsection (2) of this section shall be promptly reported to the medical examiner by the physician in attendance, any hospital employee, any law enforcement officer having knowledge of the death, the embalmer or other funeral home employee, any emergency medical technician, any relative or any other person present. The appropriate medical examiner shall notify the municipal or state law enforcement agency or sheriff and take charge of the body. The appropriate medical examiner shall notify the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the body in cases of death as described in subsection (2)(m) or (n) of this section.
(2) A death affecting the public interest includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(a) Violent death, including homicidal, suicidal or accidental death.
(b) Death caused by thermal, chemical, electrical or radiation injury.
(c) Death caused by criminal abortion, including self-induced abortion, or abortion related to or by sexual abuse.
(d) Death related to disease thought to be virulent or contagious which may constitute a public hazard.
(e) Death that has occurred unexpectedly or from an unexplained cause.
(f) Death of a person confined in a prison, jail or correctional institution.
(g) Death of a person where a physician was not in attendance within thirty-six (36) hours preceding death, or in prediagnosed terminal or bedfast cases, within thirty (30) days preceding death.
(h) Death of a person where the body is not claimed by a relative or a friend.
(i) Death of a person where the identity of the deceased is unknown.
(j) Death of a child under the age of two (2) years where death results from an unknown cause or where the circumstances surrounding the death indicate that sudden infant death syndrome may be the cause of death.
(k) Where a body is brought into this state for disposal and there is reason to believe either that the death was not investigated properly or that there is not an adequate certificate of death.
(l) Where a person is presented to a hospital emergency room unconscious and/or unresponsive, with cardiopulmonary resuscitative measures being performed, and dies within twenty-four (24) hours of admission without regaining consciousness or responsiveness, unless a physician was in attendance within thirty-six (36) hours preceding presentation to the hospital, or in cases in which the decedent had a prediagnosed terminal or bedfast condition, unless a physician was in attendance within thirty (30) days preceding presentation to the hospital.
(m) Death which is caused by drug overdose or which is believed to be caused by drug overdose.
(n) When a stillborn fetus is delivered and the cause of the demise is medically believed to be from the use by the mother of any controlled substance as defined in Section 41-29-105.
(3) The State Medical Examiner is empowered to investigate deaths, under the authority hereinafter conferred, in any and all political subdivisions of the state. The county medical examiners and county medical examiner investigators, while appointed for a specific county, may serve other counties on a regular basis with written authorization by the State Medical Examiner, or may serve other counties on an as-needed basis upon the request of the ranking officer of the investigating law enforcement agency. The county medical examiner or county medical examiner investigator of any county which has established a regional medical examiner district under subsection (4) of Section 41-61-77 may serve other counties which are parties to the agreement establishing the district, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, and may contract with counties which are not part of the district to provide medical examiner services for such counties. If a death affecting the public interest takes place in a county other than the one where injuries or other substantial causal factors leading to the death have occurred, jurisdiction for investigation of the death may be transferred, by mutual agreement of the respective medical examiners of the counties involved, to the county where such injuries or other substantial causal factors occurred, and the costs of autopsy or other studies necessary to the further investigation of the death shall be borne by the county assuming jurisdiction.
(4) The chief county medical examiner or chief county medical examiner investigator may receive from the county in which he serves a salary of Nine Hundred Dollars ($900.00) per month, in addition to the fees specified in Sections 41-61-69 and 41-61-75, provided that no county shall pay the chief county medical examiner or chief county medical examiner investigator less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per month as a salary, in addition to other compensation provided by law. In any county having one or more deputy medical examiners or deputy medical examiner investigators, each deputy may receive from the county in which he serves, in the discretion of the board of supervisors, a salary of not more than Nine Hundred Dollars ($900.00) per month, in addition to the fees specified in Sections 41-61-69 and 41-61-75. For this salary the chief shall assure twenty-four-hour daily and readily available death investigators for the county, and shall maintain copies of all medical examiner death investigations for the county for at least the previous five (5) years. He shall coordinate his office and duties and cooperate with the State Medical Examiner, and the State Medical Examiner shall cooperate with him.
(5) A body composed of the State Medical Examiner, whether appointed on a permanent or interim basis, the Director of the State Board of Health or his designee, the Attorney General or his designee, the President of the Mississippi Coroners' Association (or successor organization) or his designee, and a certified pathologist appointed by the Mississippi State Medical Association shall adopt, promulgate, amend and repeal rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary by them from time to time for the proper enforcement, interpretation and administration of Sections 41-61-51 through 41-61-79, in accordance with the provisions of the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, being Section 25-43-1 et seq.
SECTION 6. Section 9-13-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
9-13-19. (1) Court reporters for circuit and chancery courts shall be paid an annual salary * * * payable by the Administrative Office of Courts not to exceed Forty Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($40,500.00) for court reporters with five (5) years experience or less; not to exceed Forty-three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($43,500.00) for court reporters who have more than five (5) years experience but less than ten (10) years; and not to exceed Forty-six Thousand Dollars ($46,000.00) for court reporters who have ten (10) years or more experience. In addition, any court reporter performing the duties of a court administrator in the same judicial district in which the person is employed as a court reporter may be paid additional compensation for performing the court administrator duties. The annual amount of the additional compensation shall be set by vote of the judges and chancellors for whom the court administrator duties are performed, with consideration given to the number of hours per month devoted by the court reporter to performing the duties of a court administrator. The additional compensation shall be submitted to the Administrative Office of Courts for approval.
(2) The several counties in each respective court district shall transfer from the general funds of those county treasuries to the Administrative Office of Courts a proportionate amount to be paid toward the annual compensation of the court reporter, including any additional compensation paid for the performance of court administrator duties. The amount to be paid by each county shall be determined by the number of weeks in which court is held in each county in proportion to the total number of weeks court is held in the district. For purposes of this section, the term "compensation" means the gross salary plus all amounts paid for benefits, or otherwise, as a result of employment or as required by employment, but does not include transcript fees otherwise authorized to be paid by or through the counties. However, only salary earned for services rendered shall be reported and credited for retirement purposes. Amounts paid for transcript fees, benefits or otherwise, including reimbursement for travel expenses, shall not be reported or credited for retirement purposes.
For example, if there are thirty-eight (38) scheduled court weeks in a particular district, a county in which court is scheduled five (5) weeks out of the year would have to pay five-thirty-eighths (5/38) of the total annual compensation.
(3) The salary and any additional compensation for the performance of court administrator duties shall be paid in twelve (12) installments on the last working day of each month after it has been duly authorized by the appointing judge or chancellor and an order duly placed on the minutes of the court. Each county shall transfer to the Administrative Office of Courts one-twelfth (1/12) of the amount required to be paid pursuant to subsection (2) of this section by the twentieth day of each month for the salary that is to be paid on the last working day of the month. The Administrative Office of Courts shall pay to the court reporter the total amount of salary due for that month. Any county may pay, in the discretion of the board of supervisors, by the twentieth day of January of any year, the amount due for a full twelve (12) months.
(4) From and after October 1, 1996, all circuit and chancery court reporters will be employees of the Administrative Office of Courts.
(5) No circuit or chancery court reporter shall be entitled to any compensation for any special or extended term of court after passage of this section.
(6) No chancery or circuit court reporter shall practice law in the court within which he or she is the court reporter.
(7) For all travel required in the performance of official duties, the circuit or chancery court reporter shall be paid mileage by the county in which the duties were performed at the same rate as provided for state employees in Section 25-3-41. The court reporter shall file in the office of the clerk of the court which he serves a certificate of mileage expense incurred during that term and payment of such expense to the court reporter shall be paid on allowance by the judge of such court.
SECTION 7. Section 19-25-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
19-25-31. Each judge of a circuit, chancery or county court, or a court of eminent domain may, in the judge's discretion, by order entered on the minutes of the court, allow the sheriff riding bailiffs to serve in the respective court of such judge, not to exceed four (4) bailiffs. Any such person so employed shall be paid by the county on allowances of the court on issuance of a warrant therefor in an amount of Fifty-five Dollars ($55.00) for each day, or part thereof, for which he serves as bailiff when the court is in session. No full-time deputy sheriff shall be paid as a riding bailiff of any court. County court judges shall be limited to one (1) bailiff per each court day.
SECTION 8. Section 25-7-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-7-27. (1) Marshals and constables shall charge the following fees:
(a) (i) A uniform total fee in all civil cases, * * * whether contested or uncontested, which shall include all services in connection therewith, except as * * * stated otherwise in this section, each................... $25.00
(ii) A uniform total fee in all criminal cases, whether contested or uncontested, which shall include all services in connection therewith, except as stated otherwise in this section, each................... $35.00
(iii) * * * Inall cases where there is more than one (1) defendant, for service on each additional
defendant................................................ $ 5.00
(iv) * * * When a complaining party has provided erroneous information to the clerk of the court relating to the service of process on the defendant or defendants and process cannot be served after diligent search and inquiry, the uniform fee shall be assessed upon subsequent successful service and an additional fee shall be due in the following amount........................... $15.00
(b) * * * After final judgment has been enrolled, further proceedings involving levy of execution on judgments, and attachment and garnishment proceedings shall be a new suit for which the marshal or constable shall be entitled to the following fee............................................ $25.00
(c) For conveying a person charged with a crime to jail, mileage reimbursement in an amount not to exceed the rate established under Section 25-3-41(2).
To be paid out of the county treasury on the allowance of the board of supervisors, when the state fails in the prosecution, or the person is convicted but is not able to pay the costs.
(d) For other service, the same fees allowed sheriffs for similar services.
(e) For service as a bailiff in any court in a civil case, to be paid by the county on allowance of the court on issuance of a warrant therefor, an amount equal to the per diem compensation provided under Section 25-3-69 for each day, or part thereof, for which he serves as bailiff when the court is in session.
(f) For serving all warrants and other process and attending all trials in state cases in which the state fails in the prosecution, to be paid out of the county treasury on the allowance of the board of supervisors without itemization, subject, however, to the condition that the marshal or constable must not have overcharged in the collection of fees for costs, contrary to the provisions of this section, annually * * *
...................................................... $1,800.00
(2) Marshals and constables shall be paid all uncollected fees levied under subsection (1) of this section in full from the first proceeds received by the court from the guilty party or from any other source of payment in connection with the case.
(3) In addition to the fees authorized to be paid to a constable under subsection (1) of this section, a constable may receive payments for collecting delinquent criminal fines in justice court pursuant to the provisions of Section 19-3-41(3).
SECTION 9. Section 25-7-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-7-13. (1) The clerks of the circuit court shall charge the following fees:
(a) Docketing, filing, marking and registering each complaint, petition and indictment............................................... $75.00
The fee set forth in this paragraph shall be the total fee for all services performed by the clerk up to and including entry of judgment with respect to each complaint, petition or indictment, including all answers, claims, orders, continuances and other papers filed therein, issuing each writ, summons, subpoena or other such instruments, swearing witnesses, taking and recording bonds and pleas, and recording judgments, orders, fiats and certificates; the fee shall be payable upon filing and shall accrue to the clerk at the time of collection. The clerk or his successor in office shall perform all duties set forth above without additional compensation or fee.
(b) Docketing and filing each suggestion for a writ of garnishment, suggestion for a writ of execution and judgment debtor actions and issuing all process, filing and recording orders or other papers and swearing witnesses $30.00
(2) Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, the clerks of the circuit court shall charge the following fees:
(a) Filing and marking each order or other paper and recording and indexing same..................................................... $ 2.00
(b) Issuing each writ, summons, subpoena, citation, capias and other such instruments.............................................. $ 1.00
(c) Administering an oath and taking bond..... $ 2.00
(d) Certifying copies of filed documents, for each complete document $ 1.00
(e) Recording orders, fiats, licenses, certificates, oaths and bonds:
First page................................ $ 2.00
Each additional page...................... $ 1.00
(f) Furnishing copies of any papers of record or on file and entering marginal notations on documents of record:
If performed by the clerk or his employee,
per page................................................. $ 1.00
If performed by any other person, per page$ .25
(g) Judgment roll entry....................... $ 5.00
(h) Taxing cost and certificate............... $ 1.00
(i) For taking and recording application for marriage license, for filing and recording consent of parents when required by law, for filing and recording medical certificate, filing and recording proof of age, recording and issuing license, recording and filing returns............................. $20.00
The clerk shall deposit Fourteen Dollars ($14.00) of each fee collected for a marriage license in the Victims of Domestic Violence Fund established in Section 93-21-117, on a monthly basis.
(j) For certified copy of marriage license and search of record, the same fee charged by the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the State Board of Health.
(k) For public service not particularly provided for, the circuit court may allow the clerk, per annum, to be paid by the county on presentation of the circuit court's order, the following amount................... $5,000.00
However, in the counties having two (2) judicial districts, such above allowance shall be made for each judicial district.
(l) For drawing jurors and issuing venire, to be paid by the county $ 5.00
(m) For each day's attendance upon the circuit court term, for himself and necessary deputies allowed by the court, each to be paid by the county $50.00
(n) Summons, each juror to be paid by the county upon the allowance of the court.................................................... $ 1.00
(o) For issuing each grand jury subpoena, to be paid by the county on allowance by the court, not to exceed Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) in any one (1) term of court................................................. $ 1.00
(3) On order of the court, clerks and deputies may be allowed five (5) extra days for attendance upon the court to get up records.
(4) The clerk's fees in state cases where the state fails in the prosecution, or in cases of felony where the defendant is convicted and the cost cannot be made out of his estate, in an amount not to exceed Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) in one (1) year, shall be paid out of the county treasury on approval of the circuit court, and the allowance thereof by the board of supervisors of the county. In counties having two (2) judicial districts, such allowance shall be made in each judicial district; however, the maximum thereof shall not exceed Eight Hundred Dollars ($800.00). Clerks in the circuit court, in cases where appeals are taken in criminal cases and no appeal bond is filed, shall be allowed by the board of supervisors of the county after approval of their accounts by the circuit court, in addition to the above fees, for making such transcript the rate of Two Dollars ($2.00) per page.
(5) The clerk of the circuit court may retain as his commission on all money coming into his hands, by law or order of the court, a sum to be fixed by the court not exceeding one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) on all such sums.
(6) For making final records required by law, including, but not limited to, circuit and county court minutes, and furnishing transcripts of records, the circuit clerk shall charge Two Dollars ($2.00) per page. The same fees shall be allowed to all officers for making and certifying copies of records or papers which they are authorized to copy and certify.
(7) The circuit clerk shall prepare an itemized statement of fees for services performed, cost incurred, or for furnishing copies of any papers of record or on file, and shall submit the statement to the parties or, if represented, to their attorneys within sixty (60) days. A bill for same shall accompany the statement.
SECTION 10. Section 25-7-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-7-9. (1) The clerks of the chancery courts shall charge the following fees:
(a) For the act of certifying copies of filed documents, for each complete document.............................................. $ 1.00
(b) Recording deeds, wills, leases, amendments, subordinations, liens, releases, cancellations, orders, decrees, oaths, etc., including indexing; for the first fifteen (15)
pages................................................. $ 10.00
Each additional page........................ 1.00
Sectional index entries per section or subdivision
lot................................................... 1.00
(c) Recording deeds of trust, for the first fifteen (15) pages $ 15.00
Each additional page........................ 1.00
Sectional index entries per section or subdivision
lot................................................... 1.00
(d) * * * Recording oil and gas leases, cancellations, assignments, etc., including indexing in general indices; for the first fifteen (15) pages $ 18.00
Each additional page........................ 1.00
Sectional index entries per section or subdivision
lot................................................... 1.00
* * *
(e) Furnishing copies of any papers of record or on file and entering marginal notations on documents of record:
If performed by the clerk or his employee,
per page.............................................. $ .50
If performed by any other person, per page....... .25
(f) For each day's attendance on the board of supervisors, for himself and one (1) deputy, each.................................. $ 20.00
(g) For other services as clerk of the board of supervisors an allowance shall be made to him (payable semiannually at the July and January meetings) out of the county treasury, an annual sum not exceeding...... $3,000.00
(h) For each day's attendance on the chancery court, to be approved by the chancellor:
For the first chancellor sitting only, clerk and two (2) deputies, each$ 30.00
For the second chancellor sitting, clerk only.... 30.00
Provided that the fees herein prescribed shall be the total remuneration for the clerk and his deputies for attending chancery court.
(i) On order of the court, clerks and not more than two (2) deputies may be allowed five (5) extra days for each term of court for attendance upon the court to get up records.
(j) For public service not otherwise specifically provided for, the chancery court may by order allow the clerk to be paid by the county on the order of the board of supervisors, an annual sum not exceeding. $5,000.00
The chancery clerk shall itemize on the original document a detailed fee bill of all charges due or paid for filing, recording and abstracting same. No person shall be required to pay such fees until same have been so itemized, but said fees may be demanded before the document is recorded.
(2) In accordance with Uniform Chancery Court Rule 9.01 as approved by Order of the Mississippi Supreme Court, the following fees shall be a total fee for all services performed by the clerk with respect to a complaint which shall be payable upon filing and shall accrue to the chancery clerk at the time of filing. The clerk or his successor in office shall perform all duties set forth without additional compensation or fee to wit:
(a) Divorce to be contested................... $75.00
(b) Divorce uncontested....................... 30.00
(c) Alteration of birth or marriage certificate 25.00
(d) Removal of minority....................... 25.00
(e) Guardianship or conservatorship........... 75.00
(f) Estate of deceased, intestate............. 75.00
(g) Estate of deceased, testate............... 75.00
(h) Adoption.................................. 75.00
(i) Land dispute.............................. 75.00
(j) Injunction................................ 75.00
(k) Settlement of small claim................. 30.00
(l) Contempt in child support................. 75.00
(m) Partition suit............................ 75.00
(n) Any cross-complaint....................... 25.00
Cost of process shall be borne by the issuing party. Additionally, should the attorney or person filing the pleadings desire the clerk to pay the cost to the sheriff for serving process on one person or more, or to pay the cost of publication, the clerk shall demand the actual charges therefor, at the time of filing.
SECTION 11. Section 9-1-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
9-1-43. (1) After making deductions for employee salaries and related salary expenses, and expenses allowed as deductions by Schedule C of the Internal Revenue Code, no office of the chancery clerk or circuit clerk of any county in the state shall receive fees as compensation for the chancery clerk's or circuit clerk's services in excess of Ninety Thousand Dollars ($90,000.00). All such fees received by the office of chancery or circuit clerks that are in excess of the salary limitation shall be deposited by such clerk into the county general fund on or before April 15 for the preceding calendar year. If the chancery clerk or circuit clerk serves less than one (1) year, then he shall not receive as compensation any fees in excess of that portion of the salary limitation that can be attributed to his time in office on a pro rata basis. Upon leaving office, income earned by any clerk in his last full year of office but not received until after his last full year of office shall not be included in determining the salary limitation of the successor clerk. There shall be exempted from the provisions of this subsection any monies or commissions from private or governmental sources which: (a) are to be held by the chancery or circuit clerk in a trust or custodial capacity as prescribed in subsections (4) and (5); or (b) are received as compensation for services performed upon order of a court or board of supervisors which are not required of the chancery clerk or circuit clerk by statute.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any chancery clerk or circuit clerk to use fees in excess of Ninety Thousand Dollars ($90,000.00), to pay the salaries or actual or necessary expenses of employees who are related to such clerk by blood or marriage within the first degree of kinship according to the civil law method of computing kinship as provided in Sections 1-3-71 and 1-3-73. However, the prohibition of this subsection shall not apply to any individual who was an employee of the clerk's office prior to the date his or her relative was elected as chancery or circuit clerk. The spouse and/or any children of the chancery clerk or circuit clerk employed in the office of the chancery clerk may be paid a salary; however, the combined annual salaries of the clerk, spouse and any child of the clerk may not exceed an amount equal to the salary limitation.
(3) The chancery clerk and the circuit clerk shall be liable on their official bond for the proper deposit and accounting of all monies received by his office. The State Auditor shall promulgate uniform accounting methods for the accounting of all sources of income by the offices of the chancery and circuit clerk.
(4) There is created in the county depository of each county a clearing account to be designated as the "chancery court clerk clearing account," into which shall be deposited: (a) all such monies as the clerk of the chancery court shall receive from any person complying with any writ of garnishment, attachment, execution or other like process authorized by law for the enforcement of child support, spousal support or any other judgment; (b) any portion of any fees required by law to be collected in civil cases which are to pay for the service of process or writs in another county; and (c) any other money as shall be deposited with the court which by its nature is not, at the time of its deposit, public monies, but which is to be held by the court in a trust or custodial capacity in a case or proceeding before the court. The clerk of the chancery court shall account for all monies deposited in and disbursed from such account and shall be authorized and empowered to draw and issue checks on such account at such times, in such amounts and to such persons as shall be proper and in accordance with law.
The following monies paid to the chancery clerk shall be subject to the salary limitation prescribed under subsection (1): (a) all fees required by law to be collected for the filing, recording or abstracting of any bill, petition, pleading or decree in any civil case in chancery; (b) all fees collected for land recordings, charters, notary bonds, certification of decrees and copies of any documents; (c) all land redemption and mineral documentary stamp commissions; and (d) any other monies or commissions from private or governmental sources for statutory functions which are not to be held by the court in a trust capacity. Such fees as shall exceed the salary limitations shall be maintained in a bank account in the county depository and accounted for separately from those monies paid into the chancery court clerk clearing account.
(5) There is created in the county depository in each county a clearing account to be designated as the "circuit court clerk civil clearing account," into which shall be deposited: (a) all such monies and fees as the clerk of the circuit court shall receive from any person complying with any writ of garnishment, attachment, execution or any other like process authorized by law for the enforcement of a judgment; (b) any portion of any fees required by law or court order to be collected in civil cases; (c) all fees collected for the issuance of marriage licenses; and (d) any other money as shall be deposited with the court which by its nature is not, at the time of its deposit, public monies but which is to be held by the court in a trust or custodial capacity in a case or proceeding before the court.
There is created in the county depository in each county a clearing account to be designated as the "circuit court clerk criminal clearing account," into which shall be deposited: (a) all such monies as are received in criminal cases in the circuit court pursuant to any order requiring payment as restitution to the victims of criminal offenses; (b) any portion of any fees and fines required by law or court order to be collected in criminal cases; and (c) all cash bonds as shall be deposited with the court. The clerk of the circuit court shall account for all monies deposited in and disbursed from such account and shall be authorized and empowered to draw and issue checks on such account, at such times, in such amounts and to such persons as shall be proper and in accordance with law; however, such monies as are forfeited in criminal cases shall be paid by the clerk of the circuit court to the clerk of the board of supervisors for deposit in the general fund of the county.
The following monies paid to the circuit clerk shall be subject to the salary limitation prescribed under subsection (1): (a) all fees required by law to be collected for the filing, recording or abstracting of any bill, petition, pleading or decree in any civil action in circuit court; (b) copies of any documents; and (c) any other monies or commissions from private or governmental sources for statutory functions which are not to be held by the court in a trust capacity.
(6) The chancery clerk and the circuit clerk shall establish and maintain a cash journal for recording cash receipts from private or government sources for furnishing copies of any papers of record or on file, or for rendering services as a notary public, or other fees wherein the total fee for the transaction is Ten Dollars ($10.00) or less. The cash journal entry shall include the date, amount and type of transaction, and the clerk shall not be required to issue a receipt to the person receiving such services. The State Auditor shall not take exception to the furnishing of copies or the rendering of services as a notary by any clerk free of charge.
In any county having two (2) judicial districts, whenever the chancery clerk serves as deputy to the circuit clerk in one (1) judicial district and the circuit clerk serves as deputy to the chancery clerk in the other judicial district, the chancery clerk may maintain a cash journal, separate from the cash journal maintained for chancery clerk receipts, for recording the cash receipts paid to him as deputy circuit clerk, and the circuit clerk may maintain a cash journal, separate from the cash journal maintained for circuit clerk receipts, for recording the cash receipts paid to him as deputy chancery clerk. The cash receipts collected by the chancery clerk in his capacity as deputy circuit clerk and the cash receipts collected by the circuit clerk in his capacity as deputy chancery clerk shall be subject to the salary limitation prescribed under subsection (1).
(7) Any clerk who knowingly shall fail to deposit funds or otherwise violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor in office and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in an amount not to exceed double the amount that he failed to deposit, or imprisoned for not to exceed six (6) months in the county jail, or be punished by both such fine and imprisonment.
SECTION 12. Section 27-105-343, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-105-343. From and after the passage of this section, all the duties except the duty of receiving and disbursing money that were imposed by law on county treasurers shall be required to be done by chancery clerks, and they shall be the custodians of all the books, records, papers, and vouchers heretofore belonging to county treasurers, and shall be custodians of all the promissory notes, bonds, and other like property belonging to or deposited with the county, and said clerks shall in all respects be liable on their official bonds for the proper care of the same.
The duty of receipting for and disbursing all monies heretofore deposited with county treasurers shall be done and performed by the designated county and drainage district depositories appointed in the manner provided by law; and any person or corporation required to pay money into a county treasury shall hereafter pay the same to a properly designated depository and such depository shall issue receipts therefor in duplicate, one of which shall be filed with the chancery clerk and the other retained by the person or corporation making such payment, and such payment when made to a designated depository shall discharge the person or corporation making such payment from any further liability therefor.
In the event there shall be no designated depository for any money required to be paid into a county treasury, such payment shall be made to the tax collector who shall receipt for same in duplicate as required in the preceding paragraph and shall pay the same over to a legally appointed depository within ten (10) days after one is qualified to receive the same. The tax collector shall be the custodian of all money belonging to a county or any subdivision thereof until there be appointed a depository for any such funds and the said tax collectors shall be liable on their official bond for the proper accounting and payment of any funds so paid to them.
Boards of supervisors shall allow chancery clerks for their compensation for performance of the duties required of them by this section the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) per annum.
Nothing in this section shall preclude drainage districts from selecting their treasurer or depository as now provided by law.
SECTION 13. Section 25-3-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-3-9. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this section, the county prosecuting attorney may receive for his services an annual salary to be paid by the board of supervisors as follows:
(a) For counties with a total population of more than two hundred thousand (200,000), a salary not to exceed Twenty-eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($28,500.00).
(b) For counties with a total population of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) and not more than two hundred thousand (200,000), a salary not to exceed Twenty-six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($26,500.00).
(c) For counties with a total population of more than fifty thousand (50,000) and not more than one hundred thousand (100,000), a salary not to exceed Twenty-one Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($21,700.00).
(d) For counties with a total population of more than thirty-five thousand (35,000) and not more than fifty thousand (50,000), a salary not to exceed Twenty Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($20,400.00).
(e) For counties with a total population of more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) and not more than thirty-five thousand (35,000), a salary not to exceed Nineteen Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($19,300.00).
(f) For counties with a total population of more than fifteen thousand (15,000) and not more than twenty-five thousand (25,000), a salary not to exceed Seventeen Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($17,700.00).
(g) For counties with a total population of more than ten thousand (10,000) and not more than fifteen thousand (15,000), a salary not to exceed Sixteen Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($16,100.00).
(h) For counties with a total population of more than six thousand (6,000) and not more than ten thousand (10,000), a salary not to exceed Fourteen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($14,500.00).
(i) For counties with a total population of six thousand (6,000) or less, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may appoint a county prosecuting attorney, and it may pay such county prosecuting attorney an annual salary not to exceed Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars ($12,900.00).
In all cases of conviction there shall be taxed against the convicted defendant, as an item of cost, the sum of Three Dollars ($3.00), which shall be turned in to the county treasury as a part of the general county funds; however, the Three Dollars ($3.00) shall not be taxed in any case in which it is not the specific duty of the county attorney to appear and prosecute.
From and after October 1, 1993, in addition to the salaries provided for in this subsection, the board of supervisors of any county, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an additional amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the maximum allowable salary prescribed herein.
(2) In the following counties, the county prosecuting attorney shall receive for his services an annual salary to be paid by the board of supervisors, as follows:
(a) In any county bordering upon the Mississippi River and having a population of not less than thirty thousand (30,000) and not more than thirty-five thousand five hundred (35,500) according to the federal census of 1990, and in counties having a population of not more than thirty-seven thousand (37,000) according to the federal census of 1990 in which Interstate Highway 55 and U.S. Highway 98 intersect, the county prosecuting attorney shall receive a salary equal to the justice court judge of such county; and in any county wherein is located the state's oldest state-supported institution of higher learning and wherein Mississippi State Highways 7 and 6 intersect, the county prosecuting attorney shall receive an annual salary equal to that of a member of the board of supervisors of such county.
(b) In counties having a population in excess of fifty thousand (50,000) in the 1960 federal census, wherein is located a state-supported university and in which U.S. Highways 49 and 11 intersect, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than Seventeen Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($17,400.00) per year. The Board of Supervisors of Forrest County, Mississippi, may, in its discretion, and by agreement with the county prosecuting attorney, employ the county prosecuting attorney as a full-time elected official during his/her term of office, designate additional duties and responsibilities of the office and pay additional compensation up to, but not in excess of, ninety percent (90%) of the annual compensation and salary of the county court judge and the youth court judge of Forrest County as authorized by law and provide a reasonable office and reasonable office expenses to the county prosecuting attorney. The salary authorized by this paragraph (b) for the county prosecuting attorney shall be the sole and complete salary for such prosecuting attorney in each county to which this paragraph applies, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary.
(c) In any county wherein is housed the seat of state government, wherein U.S. Highways 80 and 49 intersect, and having two (2) judicial districts, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of members of the board of supervisors in the county.
(d) In any county which has two (2) judicial districts and wherein Highway 8 and Highway 15 intersect, having a population of greater than seventeen thousand (17,000), according to the 1980 federal decennial census, the board of supervisors shall pay the county prosecuting attorney a salary equal to that of a member of the board of supervisors of such county; provided that if such county prosecuting attorney is paid a sum for the purpose of defraying office or secretarial expenses, then the salary prescribed herein shall be reduced by that amount.
(e) In any county bordering the State of Tennessee and in which Mississippi Highways No. 4 and 15 intersect, and having a population of less than twenty thousand (20,000) in the 1970 federal census, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be no less than Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00).
(f) In any county having a population of more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) and in which U.S. Highways 72 and 45 intersect, the salary of the county attorney shall be * * * not less than Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000.00).
In addition, such county prosecuting attorney shall receive the sum of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) per month for the purpose of defraying secretarial expense.
(g) In any county wherein I-20 and State Highway 15 intersect; and in any county wherein I-20 and State Highway 35 intersect, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than Eight Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($8,400.00).
(h) In any Class 1 county bordering on the Mississippi River, lying in whole or in part within a levee district, wherein U.S. Highways 82 and 61 intersect, bounded by the Sunflower River and Stales Bayou, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay an annual salary equal to the annual salary of members of the board of supervisors in the county. In addition, such county prosecuting attorney shall receive the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per month for the purpose of defraying secretarial expenses.
(i) In any county bordering on the Gulf of Mexico having two (2) judicial districts, and wherein U.S. Highways 90 and 49 intersect, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than Nineteen Thousand Dollars ($19,000.00) per year. The Board of Supervisors of Harrison County, Mississippi, may, in its discretion, and by agreement with the county prosecuting attorney, employ the county prosecuting attorney and his/her assistant during his/her term of office, and designate additional duties and responsibilities of the office and pay additional compensation up to, but not in excess of, ninety percent (90%) of the annual compensation and salary of the county court judges of Harrison County as authorized by law and provide adequate office space and reasonable office expenses to the county prosecuting attorney and his/her assistant. The salary authorized by this paragraph (i) for the county prosecuting attorney and his/her assistant shall be the sole and complete salary paid by the county for such prosecuting attorney and his/her assistant in each county to which this paragraph applies, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary.
(j) In any county bordering on the State of Alabama, having a population in excess of seventy-five thousand (75,000) according to the 1980 decennial census in which is located an institution of higher learning and a United States military installation and which is traversed by an interstate highway, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall not be less than Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000.00) nor more than the amount of the annual salary received by a member of the board of supervisors of that county.
(k) In any county with a land area wherein Mississippi Highways 8 and 9 intersect, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500.00) per year.
(l) In any Class 2 county wherein Mississippi Highways 6 and 3 intersect, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000.00) per year nor more than the amount of the annual salary received by a member of the board of supervisors of that county.
(m) In any county wherein Interstate Highway 55 and State Highway 8 intersect, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than Twelve Thousand Dollars ($12,000.00) per year.
(n) In any county wherein U.S. Highway 51 intersects Mississippi Highway 6, and having two (2) judicial districts, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than Three Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($3,600.00) per year.
(o) In any county bordering on the Alabama state line, having a population of greater than fifteen thousand (15,000) according to the 1970 federal decennial census, wherein U.S. Highway 45 and Mississippi Highway 18 intersect, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than Three Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($3,600.00) nor greater than that of a member of the board of supervisors of such county. All prior acts, orders and resolutions of the board of supervisors of such county which authorized the payment of the salary in conformity with the provisions of this paragraph, whether or not heretofore specifically authorized by law are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed.
(p) In any county wherein is located a state-supported institution of higher learning and wherein U.S. Highway 82 and Mississippi Highway 389 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of members of the board of supervisors in the county.
(q) In any county having two (2) judicial districts wherein Mississippi Highway 32 intersects U.S. Highway 49E, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than Twelve Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($12,700.00).
(r) In any county traversed by the Natchez Trace Parkway wherein U.S. Highway 45 and Mississippi Highway 4 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of justice court judges in the county.
(s) In any county having a population of more than fourteen thousand (14,000) according to the 1970 census and which county is bordered on the north by the State of Tennessee and on the east by the State of Alabama and in which U.S. Highway No. 72 and Highway No. 25 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of justice court judges in the county.
(t) (i) In any county wherein Interstate Highway 55 and State Highway 22 intersect, and which is also traversed in whole or part by U.S. Highways 49 and 51, and State Highways 16, 17, 43 and the Natchez Trace Parkway, and also containing a part of a public lake or reservoir, in excess of thirty thousand (30,000) acres, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary in the amount of Twenty-eight Thousand Dollars ($28,000.00).
(ii) From and after October 1, 1993, in addition to the salary provided for in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an additional amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the maximum allowable salary prescribed herein.
(u) In any county having a population in the 1970 census in excess of thirty-five thousand (35,000) and in which U.S. Highways 49W and 82 intersect, and in which is located a state penitentiary, the annual salary of a county prosecuting attorney shall be Thirty Thousand Four Hundred Twenty Dollars ($30,420.00).
(v) In any county wherein Mississippi Highway 50 intersects U.S. Highway 45-Alternate, and having a population greater than twenty thousand (20,000) according to the 1980 federal decennial census, a salary equal to that of a member of the board of supervisors of such county; provided that if such county prosecuting attorney is paid a sum for the purpose of defraying office or secretarial expenses, then the salary prescribed herein shall be reduced by that amount.
(w) In any county in which the 1975 assessed valuation was Forty Million Seven Hundred Thirty-nine Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-six Dollars ($40,739,466.00) and wherein U.S. Highway 45 and Mississippi Highway 8 intersect, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be equal to that of a member of the board of supervisors of such county.
(x) In any county bordering on the Mississippi River having a population greater than fifty thousand (50,000) according to the 1980 federal decennial census and also having a national military park and national cemetery, an annual salary of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) or a salary equal to that of a member of the board of supervisors in such county, whichever is greater. In addition, such county prosecuting attorney shall receive the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per month for the purpose of defraying secretarial expenses.
(y) In any county bordering on the Alabama state line, traversed by the Chickasawhay River, and wherein U.S. Highway 45 and U.S. Highway 84 intersect, a salary that shall be equal to the annual salary of a member of the board of supervisors of such county. All prior acts, orders and resolutions of the board of supervisors of such county which authorize the payment of the salary of the county prosecuting attorney in conformity with the provisions of this section as it existed immediately prior to the effective date of Chapter 506, Laws of 1985, are hereby ratified, approved, confirmed and validated.
(z) In any county having a population greater than sixty-five thousand five hundred eighty (65,580) but less than sixty-five thousand five hundred ninety (65,590) according to the 1990 federal decennial census, wherein U.S. Highway 45 intersects with Mississippi Highway 6, an annual salary equal to Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00).
(aa) In any county where an institution of higher learning is located and wherein U.S. Highway 82 and U.S. Highway 45 intersect, the salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be not less than that of a member of the board of supervisors in such county, and the board of supervisors may, in its discretion, pay such county prosecuting attorney a salary in an amount not to exceed the amount of the salary of the District Attorney for the Sixteenth Judicial District of Mississippi.
(bb) In any county having a population greater than six thousand (6,000) according to the federal decennial census and wherein U.S. Highway 61 and Highway 24 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of members of the board of supervisors in the county.
(cc) In any county having a population greater than thirty-one thousand (31,000) according to the 1990 federal decennial census and wherein U.S. Highway 61 and U.S. Highway 49 intersect, a salary of not less than the annual salary of justice court judges in the county.
(dd) (i) The Rankin County prosecuting attorney, if such person is not employed on a full-time basis, shall receive an annual salary of Twenty-nine Thousand Dollars ($29,000.00).
(ii) The Board of Supervisors of Rankin County, in its discretion, may employ the elected county prosecuting attorney and an assistant on a full-time basis during his or her term of office and may pay compensation to such full-time prosecuting attorney in an amount of not more than ninety percent (90%) of the annual compensation and salary of the county court judges of the county as authorized by law, and may provide adequate office space and reasonable office expenses to the county prosecuting attorney and his/her assistant. The Board of Supervisors of Rankin County, in its discretion, may also employ a full-time assistant county prosecuting attorney and may pay such person an annual salary in such amount as determined by the board of supervisors. The salary authorized by this subparagraph (dd)(ii) for the elected county prosecuting attorney and an assistant shall be the sole and complete salary paid by the county for the elected prosecuting attorney and assistant in Rankin County, notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary.
(ee) In any county having a population greater than eight thousand (8,000) but less than eight thousand two hundred (8,200) according to the 1990 federal census, and in which U.S. Highway 61 and Mississippi Highway 4 intersect, the board of supervisors may, in its discretion, pay the county prosecuting attorney an amount not to exceed Fourteen Thousand Dollars ($14,000.00), in addition to the maximum allowable salary for that attorney under subsection (1), beginning on April 1, 1997.
(ff) In any county having a population greater than thirty thousand three hundred (30,300) but less than thirty thousand four hundred (30,400) according to the 1990 federal census, and in which U.S. Highway 78 and Mississippi Highway 7 intersect, a salary of not less than the annual salary of a member of the board of supervisors in such county.
(gg) In any county having a population greater than thirteen thousand three hundred (13,300) but less than thirteen thousand four hundred (13,400) according to the 1990 federal census, and in which Mississippi Highway 24 and Mississippi Highway 48 intersect, the board of supervisors may, in its discretion, pay the county prosecuting attorney an additional amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the maximum allowable salary for that attorney under subsection (1).
(hh) In any county having a population greater than eight thousand three hundred (8,300) but less than eight thousand four hundred (8,400) according to the 1990 federal census, and in which U.S. Highway 84 and U.S. Highway 98 intersect, the board of supervisors may, in its discretion, pay the county prosecuting attorney an additional amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the maximum allowable salary for that attorney under subsection (1).
(ii) In any county having a population of more than thirty thousand four hundred (30,400) and which is traversed in whole or part by I-59, U.S. Highways 98 and 11 and State Highway 13, the annual salary of the county prosecuting attorney shall be Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00).
(jj) In any county having a population greater than twenty thousand (20,000) according to the 1990 federal census and wherein U.S. Highway 78 and Mississippi Highway 25 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of justice court judges in the county.
(kk) In any county having a population greater than twelve thousand four hundred (12,400) but less than twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) according to the 1990 federal census, and in which U.S. Highway 84 and Mississippi Highway 27 intersect, the board of supervisors may, in its discretion, pay the county prosecuting attorney an additional amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the maximum allowable salary for that attorney under subsection (1).
(ll) In any county having a population greater than thirty thousand two hundred (30,200) but less than thirty thousand three hundred (30,300) according to the 1990 federal census, and in which U.S. Interstate 55 and Mississippi Highway 84 intersect, the board of supervisors may, in its discretion, pay the county prosecuting attorney an additional amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the maximum allowable salary for that attorney under subsection (1).
(mm) In any county on the Mississippi River levee, having a population greater than forty-one thousand eight hundred (41,800) but less than forty-one thousand nine hundred (41,900) according to the 1990 federal census wherein U.S. Highway 61 and Mississippi Highway 8 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of members of the board of supervisors in the county. In addition, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per month for the purpose of defraying secretarial expenses.
(nn) In any county having a population greater than twenty-four thousand seven hundred (24,700) and less than twenty-four thousand nine hundred (24,900) according to the 1990 federal census, wherein Mississippi Highways 15 and 16 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of members of the board of supervisors in the county.
(oo) In any county having a population greater than thirty-seven thousand (37,000) but less than thirty-eight thousand (38,000) according to the 1990 federal census, in which is located a state supported institution of higher learning, and in which U.S. Highway 82 and Mississippi Highway 7 intersect, the board of supervisors may, in its discretion, pay the county prosecuting attorney a salary in an amount not to exceed the amount of the salary of the District Attorney for the Fourth Judicial District of Mississippi.
(pp) In any county in which U.S. Highway 78 and Mississippi Highway 15 intersect and which is traversed by the Tallahatchie River, a salary equal to that of members of the board of supervisors of the county, which salary shall be in addition to any sums received for the purpose of defraying office or secretarial expenses and sums received as youth court prosecutor fees.
(qq) In any county bordering on the State of Tennessee and the State of Arkansas, wherein Interstate Highway 55 and Mississippi Highway 302 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of justice court judges in the county.
(rr) In any county that is traversed by the Natchez Trace Parkway and in which Mississippi Highway 35 and Mississippi Highway 12 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary in the amount of the annual salary of justice court judges in the county.
(ss) In any county in which Mississippi Highway 14 and Mississippi Highway 25 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary in the amount of Twenty-two Thousand Dollars ($22,000.00).
(tt) In any county in which Interstate Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 84 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay the county prosecuting attorney an annual salary equal to the annual salary of members of the board of supervisors in the county.
(3) In any case where a salary, expense allowance or other sum is authorized or paid by the board of supervisors pursuant to this section, that salary, expense allowance or other sum shall not be reduced or terminated during the term for which the county attorney was elected.
(4) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, no county prosecuting attorney shall receive for his services an annual salary less than the salary paid to a justice court judge in his respective county.
SECTION 14. Section 25-3-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, which establishes the salaries of tax assessors and tax collectors in counties where the two offices have been separated, is repealed.
SECTION 15. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.
SECTION 16. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended, or October 1, 2004, whichever occurs later.